Day one of the 11th International Conference on Integrative Disaster Risk Reduction Management (ICIDRRM) tipped off to an emphatic start, drawing in participants from the various agencies, partner institutions, and researchers from across the country. Delegates filled the Teatro Ibabawnon of the ESSU Main Campus today, November 27, 2024.
As the host, Eastern Samar State University key officials were in attendance, led by ESSU President, Dr. Andres C. Pagatpatan, Jr., along with University Vice Presidents. The staging of the said 11th ICDRRM is made possible with the sustained partnership with the Office of the Senate Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, Innovations, and Futures Thinking (SDGIFT) and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of Eastern Samar.
Associate Professor V, Dr. Gerald M. Salas from Pampanga State Agricultural University, started off the expert discussions with his presentation on "Ecosystem-based approach to DRRM: Utilizing Strategic Foresight and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Nature-based Solutions (NbS)." UPLB's Professor 12, Dr. Nathaniel C. Bantayan, joined in virtually with a lecture on "Integrating Futures Thinking and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Education, Research, and Innovation to Advance DRRM." Ms. Kate Verdalyn R. Lupango, Co-Founder & Executive Director of Animal Empathy PH, shared an enlightening presentation on "The Overlooked Stakeholders: Strengthening DRRM Strategies through Farmed Animal Welfare."
Lectures by the expert speakers were followed by the parallel sessions where participants were grouped into three according to the first 3 of the 5 Thematic Areas for the said conference, namely, Disaster Mitigation and Prevention, Disaster preparedness, and Disaster response, where researchers from the participating institutions presented their research studies and proposals before a select panel of experts as evaluators.
To conclude day one of the activities, a cultural night courtesy of the different performing groups of the University will be showcased at the 2nd Floor Central Library as part of ESSU's own blend of hospitality and entertainment to immerse the visitors with the local artistic expressions of Eastern Samar.
